"Meet Samuel Ramsey" by Ann Harman

Sammy Ramsey has found out what the Varroa mites are having for their meals as they ride around on the bodies of our honey bees. His research results have changed the approaches to solving the huge problem Varroa has caused not only in the United States but also in many other countries.

Sammy’s life began in Washington, DC, but soon his family moved to Maryland where he lives today. The joy of singing began very early in his life, before he was even talking. His favorite toy was a microphone attached to a toy tape recorder. So singing, into a microphone or not, has always been an important part of his life. He does not limit his music to any particular genre or style. He just loves music and singing.

Like many small children he was terrified of insects. Fortunately that attitude dramatically changed so that by the time he was seven years old he knew he would become an entomologist. For his undergraduate studies he attended Cornell University. During those years he focused on predatory and parasitic insect interactions that gave him an excellent background for his graduate investigations. 

After Cornell he began research work for his PhD at the University of Maryland where he received his doctorate this year. His undergraduate studies fit perfectly with honey bees and Varroa. However, Sammy had noticed some problems with the Varroa and honey bee relationship, partially having to do with the white feces Varroa left in honey bee larval cells. Many beekeepers have noticed this distinctive poop as a sign that Varroa had infested bee larvae in those cells.